Jaguar E-Type: PH Carpool
40-odd years on and one man's love for his E-Type still has yet to wane
Car: Supercharged 1962 Series 1 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Roadster
Owned since: 1972
Previously owned: 1970 Lotus Elan, 1959 Jaguar Mk2 3.4, Jaguar Mk1 (was a 2.4 but had a 3.4 engine in it), Riley Pathfinder, 1970 Triumph Vitesse, amongst others. Wife has also had Triumph Spitfire Mk4, TVR M Series, Lotus Esprit Turbo (X180), MGTF 160 and, currently, they run a 2006 Porsche Boxster S.
Bought over 40 years ago, novelty not worn off
Why he bought it:
"At 16 years old this was a dream car for him, and then 11 years later he could finally afford one at £560, which was four months wages back then!"
What he wishes he'd known:
"Nothing really. When it was bought there weren't many around so the choice was limited, and this was the most expensive one. However, at today's money - approximately £11K - a Jaguar XKR is a vastly superior car to the E-Type. Such is the level of progress, however in the looks department that may be debatable."
A lot of time, love and money spent here
"It's quite unique - it is possibly the fastest (not to mention loudest) E Type in the UK, with a proven 170mph top speed and a verified 420bhp+ and 400lb/ft of torque. The looks and the feel-good factors are things he loves too. I think it's worth mentioning here that the vast majority of the modifications are all done by Malcolm at home, and I think the photos speak for themselves."
Things he hates:
"The ventilation (heating) is poor as are the wipers, but that's about it!"
Costs:
"It has taken 800 man hours to get to this level and about £10K. Everything except the ECU (thanks to Emerald ECUs and welding has been DIY, and that includes addition of the supercharger and intercooler, uprated brakes, and the addition of a Borg Warner competition T5 gearbox (a previous BW box was blown!). Other ancillaries (clutch etc) have been upgraded to cope accordingly."
'Each journey is an occasion' - no kidding!
"Woodbridge Speed Trials for that confirmed 170mph, but no other big trips. Each journey is an occasion in this car. It was a daily driver until the Boxster was bought."
What next?
"A modified cam to give the followers an easier life but still retaining the power and driveability - a winter project. Unlikely to ever be for sale."
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
If anyone wants more details let me know, to be honest there is so much that has been done, that I can see, and that's before I speak to the owner.
Obviously brakes have been massively upgraded, but clearly modern set ups (from memory this is 4 pot calipers up front and back) may not work with the wire wheels, so they have been adapted and machined (at home) to fit.
Malcolm is now retired and was unwell for a while, so now has loads of time. I suspect the Boxster may have some fettling done at some point too...
If you want more detail let me know and I'll get hold of specific details and reply accordingly.
I might see if Malcolm will bring it along to a Sunday Service at some point.
I do have a very short video on my phone of it running with the new cam but no exhaust and it is LOUD, I'll try and get a proper video done although this is not going to be the best quality as I'm not great with things like that....
I've got a few more pictures at home that I'll upload later.
I'v been out in it when it was running around 300bhp, and it felt quick. At the time I had my Alfa 159, which was a great car, but this was probably one of the fastest cars I've ever been in. As a passenger it is difficult to judge how a car drives, but the impression I got was of a car that had been thoroughly yet sympathetically modernised yet still retained the original character and "feel" of the E Type. And feck me it was loud. I don't know what the exact exhaust specification is but I imagine that it has a distinct lack of silencers. My Molnaro is quite loud now, but this E Type would easily be louder.
Being the anal man that I am, why blue samco hose and not black? IMO would've finished it off so much better.
Either way very nice build, I doth my cap sir
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